Rugby Union Today: Loose Pass and a shock retirement

Another busy day in the rugby union game as we bring you Loose Pass plus there’s a shock announcement from Ireland.

What’s on the site

Loose Pass discusses further odd knock-on material, the Italian job, referee language and France’s exposed fragility in another must-read feature.

Ireland and Munster number eight CJ Stander has announced that he’ll be calling it a day in rugby union at the conclusion of the current season.

Elsewhere, Ken Owens is full of praise for Wales coach Wayne Pivac as they are now one game away from a possible Grand Slam in the Six Nations.

What’s in the news

Johnny Sexton says he was shocked by Ireland team-mate Stander’s decision to retire and eyes a send-off performance against England on Saturday.

More shock news was World Rugby announcing a new “landmark” global women’s tournament that is designed to accelerate the growth of the sport.

What’s on social media

Here is Stander’s tweet expressing his feelings and why he came to the decision to walk away from the sport. He could still feature for the Lions…

All professional sports people are told “you will know when the time is right to hang up your boots”. It’s a sentiment one cannot fully comprehend until that day arrives.
For me, that time has come, and I hereby publicly announce my retirement from all forms of rugby. pic.twitter.com/KK5zgWC0O1

— C J Stander (@CJStander) March 16, 2021

What’s on TV

The Six Nations continues this weekend with ‘Super Saturday’ and it will be broadcast on the BBC and ITV. It kicks off when Scotland and Italy go head-to-head before Ireland take on England in Dublin. It finishes with France against Wales, with the unbeaten visitors looking to secure the coveted Grand Slam.

There is also Premiership action on BT Sport, which starts with Newcastle Falcons v Wasps on Friday, while Premier Sports has the PRO14 as usual.